The average take for the once again delayed 2022/23 waterfowl season opener for the Kern National Wildlife Refuge produced a great average take for the hunters in attendance. Gadwall came in first place for number of birds checked in with Shovelers showing up in the second spot. The Kern NWR Staff reported that the results for Saturday, 11/19/22 were as follows:
36 adult hunters and 1 junior hunter checked in with 34 Northern Shovelers, 5 Mallards, 51 Gadwall, 17 Widgeon, 6 Pintail, 3 Green Wing Teal, 3 Cinnamon Teal, 2 Bufflehead, 1 Goldeneye, and 2 Ruddy Ducks. There were no Geese or Coots checked in at Kern on Saturday. This came out to an average harvest of 3.35 ducks per hunter and, of course, with no Geese or Coots to include in the total, 3.35 waterfowl for each person. There was no information given regarding reservation cards issued and claimed.
Kern National Wildlife Refuge is open for waterfowl hunting on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. You can put in for reservations online through the DFW Automated License Data System (ALDS). Your reservation request has to be to the ALDS system 17 days in advance to get in on the drawing. Hunters with reservations must present their reservation at the Hunter Check Station on the Refuge 2 1/2 hours before local shoot time. Vacancies occurring from no-show reservation holders and from hunters leaving the area shall be filled according to the order established in the standby drawing which occurs 2 hours before shoot time, the day of the hunt, and is performed at the Refuge Hunter Check Station. The ALDS can be accessed through the DFW website at the below link – Additional information may be obtained by calling Kern’s office at (661) 725-2767.
https://www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales
Don’t forget that all licenses and 1-day, 2-day, or season passes must be purchased at a DFW Office or a license agent before your arrival at the refuge. These can be purchased online via the ALDS system also, however, you will have to wait for the DFG to mail you the actual licenses and passes which can take up to 15 days. If you purchase your license and passes in person at a DFW office or license agent, you immediately get them without the wait for the mail. As in past seasons, no licenses or passes will be sold at the check stations this season.
SoCalHunt 